"Dog fawns over orphan
after boys rescue deer"

August 13, 2004

In South Africa, Rhodesian Ridgebacks hunt lions. In Nanaimo,
the breed - well at least two-year old Hogan - nurses orphan fawns back to
health. In late June, Hammond Bay area resident Jennifer Aftanas noticed two
youngsters walking on her street. One was cuddling a newborn fawn. "They
were coming up the street and they looked totally distraught" said Jennifer.
She immediately approached the boys and told them they must return the fawn
to where they had found it. The tiny animal's mother was likely looking for
her baby she told them. "The youngsters told Ms. Aftanas that the mom had
been hit by a car and the fawn had been hiding under the front porch steps
of their home for three days. On the first two days it ran if anyone came
near it. By the third day said the boys the fawn couldn't get up. "The Fawn
was nearly dead" said Ms. Aftanas

Jennifer offered to take the fawn from the boys who
gratefully accepted. She then went to a neighbour's house nearby who has
young children, and borrowed a baby bottle. About two hours later, and after
much struggle, she enticed the young fawn, which she named Bella, to drink
goat's milk from the bottle. Finally something just clicked, she said When
she got a hold of that bottle she just hung on. Jennifer said she called a
number of animal recovery centres in the area however none were able to take
the fawn so she decided she would welcome the fragile animal into her home
and care for it until a safe haven could be found. Meantime Hogan, weighing
in at about 100 pounds, decided - to the amazement of his owners that he too
would lend a hand in helping young Bella recover. Originally bred in South
Africa to hunt lions, hence the breed's older name African Lion Hound. Hogan
began fussing over the youngster. He kept a watchful eye over Bella,
grooming her and even allowing her to cuddle up beside him in his bed. "You
can come on my bed and I'm going to clean your ears!" Aftanas said of
Hogan's affection for the fawn. He looked after Bella cleaning her and
helping out until she was well enough to go for recovery"

Today, Bella is thriving and has been moved to a
recovery location on North Vancouver Island where her progress will continue
to be monitored until she is old enough to set out on her own. Though she
does not know who the boys are that discovered the fawn, Jennifer was
touched by their concern for the orphaned animal. And while Bella's story
has a happy ending, she stressed that under usual circumstances, humans
should never interfere with wildlife.

The story and
pictures has brought us in touch with people from all over the world. From
Hogan's homeland of Australia to Sweden and Memphis, Tennessee. We welcome
anyone who would like to share their animal rescue story with us or those that
just want to chat about their love of ridgebacks....or fawns.